Technical Drawing (pele's Hair).docx

Thin strands of volcanic glass drawn out from molten lava are called Pele’s hair, named for Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. “Pele’s hair” is the internationally recognized (geological term) for such volcanic glass threads, and is one of Hawaii’s worldwide influences.

The strands are formed by the stretching or blowing-out of molten basaltic glass from lava. Pele’s hair is often carried high into the air, and wind can blow the glass threads several tens of kilometres from a vent. One can find these hairs all around the active craters in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and in the Ka’u Desert. A good place to look for them is on big lava rocks. Pele’s hair often gets stuck on these just like real hairs get stuck on your clothing.